The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-11-11

The tortune-teller again scrutiniZed the
innocent baby face before her, and looked at
the pink little palm extended in her brown,
leathery hand
"She will be princess, if"
Again she paused with evident reluctance.
"Speak y commanded Senior Valdez, "Sure-
ly the power of your evil art has not desert
ed you. If you can look into the future, tell
me what is 10 befall my daughter, the last
of her line"
The fortune-teller threw her head back
with proud air. She was very old woman.
There were people in San Bias who remem-
bered her when she came to the village three
score and ten years before, and even then
her hair was gray and her face was wrnkled.
She claimed to be considerably over century
old, and no one disputed her word.
"Senor Valdez" said the brown faced
sibyl, turning her fierce black eyes full upon
him. II knew your father, and his father
before him. For three generations / have
been ut the cradle of every newborn babe in
the village. have foretold whatsoever there
was of good or evil in their lives. Has any
one ever said that Perdita made mistake or
made false predictions ?"
"1ou misunderstood me, Perdita," was the
humble reply. ut has unnerved me to gain
q daughter and lose a wife, all in one bitter
o"SNb my hCulb 10 hlCu WIN IliuRltu
grief and Joy, and am impatient to know
the future OF my last hope, the heiress of the
most magnificent estate in Mexico. Will
che live or die? Will she bring joy or sor-
row to my house?"
Perdita dropped the tiny hand OF the pref
ty child and shaded her eyes with her hand.
Il see," she murmured, "the proudest
beauty that ever brought our gallant cava-
Tiers to her feet Her gifts of mind and per-
son are the wonder and delight of her father
and all who behold her. Something tells me
that she will be princess if she lives TO see
her 18Th birthday My eyes have followed
her through her infancy and childhood, and
down to the night before her fateful day. Be-
yond that cannot sec. | know that she
will be princess, if she is alive on her 18th
birthday. But know nothing more"
Sorely puzzled, and uncertain whether to
be hopeful or respondent, Senior Valdez gave
Perdita purse of gold and dismissed her.
II.
Seventeen years had rolled away A repub-
lie had gone down in a sea of blood and an
empire had risen. Macmillan was on the
throne; the beautiful Carotta had surround
ed herself with an imperial court, rvalling
the brilliancy Of the one at the Tuilleres /;
Bazaines legions covered the land, and it
seemed the usurpers had come to stay.
Among the Mexican hidalgoes who rallied
around the imperial standard the wealthiest
and most Influential was undoubtedly Senior
Valdez.
"The prediction is coming to pass" the
senior would frequently say to himself. The
republic is dead, and we have court swarm
ing with princes. Rita is the most beautiful
woman and the richest heiress in Mexico
Why should she not be Il princess? Old Per-
dita told the truth"
Rita was presented at court and even
the empress looked at her in delighted ad-
miration.
your daughter will be a princess |" she
whispered to Senior Valdez, who at that
moment was looking at his gold-laced coat
tails in mirror.
''She has the noblest blood of Spain in her
VEINS" replied Valdez proudly
That does not need to be said" answered
the empress, taking the girl by the hand and
leading her TO quiet corner of the salon.
The Senorita Valdez had been educated by
the best European tutors that her fathers
liberal offers could secure. She was mistress.
OF every Accomplishment. Carlotta made no
secret of the fact that she liked her better
than any of the ladies around her.
"She will be a princess !" old Valdez would
repeat a hundred times day.
The senior moved to the capital, and es-
iablished himself in palace. He raised reg-
ments for Macmillan, loaned the government
money, and lived on a lavish and extravagant
scale In his round of pleasure and excite.
ment Valdez came near forgetting II very i'm
portant matter. One night it came upon
him with shock
"By all the saints p he exclaimed, leaping
from his bed "In one week from to-day
Rita will be eighteen what did the old witch
sayp Her words all depended upon an it.
My daughter will be a princess IT, All, that
If, l must see to it at once. If any danger
threatens Rita it is during the present week"
The senior hastily dressed himself and ran
into his daughters room. Rita was sleeping
quietly, and her face wore the glow of health.
Valdez examined the fastenings ofthe win
dows, and then retired locking the door and
taking the key with him. The next morn
ing he told Rita Of his fears, and secured her
consent TO remain indoors for several days.
1--WE must run no risk, the old man said
as he stroked her head atfectionately.
III.
On the morrow Rita would be eighteen.
Valdez passed the day in state of dazed ex-
hilaratioD. He refused to let his daughter